The information below is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law.
Special Advertising Disclaimers:
Attorneys and Law Firms engaged in practice in the following states are required to include a general disclaimer with their advertisments, and this portion of our directory is intended to comply with that notification to you:
Special Disclaimers Relating To Specific Areas Of Practice:
The states listed below require advertising disclaimers when attorneys indicate practice limitations, areas of specialization, areas of concentration or certification in those areas. The placement of this information here on this directory is intended to place you on notice of the content of such disclaimers, and should be considered a part of the advertisement contained herein:
Alabama
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2(e) (1997).
Alaska
The Alaska Bar Association does not accredit or endorse certifying organizations.
Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(a)(2) (1998).
Florida
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.
Florida Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 4-7.2(d) (1997).
Hawaii
There is no procedure for review or approval of specialist certification organizations in Hawaii.
Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(c) (1997).
Illinois
The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and that the certificate, award or recognition is not a requirement to practice law in Illinois.
Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(c)(2) (1997).
Iowa
The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. This disclosure is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa.
Memberships and offices in legal fraternities and legal societies, technical and professional licenses, and memberships in scientific, technical and professional associations and societies of law or field of practice do not mean that a lawyer is a specialist or expert in a field of law, nor do they mean that such a lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer.
A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyer as a specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer.
All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. This notice is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa.
See Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-101(A), DR 2-101(C), DR 2-105(A)(3)(c) (1997).
Massachusetts
If a Massachusetts lawyer holds himself or herself out as “certified” in a particular service, field or area of law by a non-governmental body, the certifying organization is a private organization, whose standards for certification are not regulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
See Massachusetts Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-105(B) (1997).
Mississippi
The Mississippi Supreme Court advises that a decision on legal services is important and should not be based solely on advertisements.
Free Background information is available upon request to a Mississippi attorney.
The listing of any area of practice by a Mississippi attorney does not indicate any certification of expertise therein.
See Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.2(d), Rule 7.4(a), Rule 7.6(a) (1997).
Missouri
Neither the Supreme Court of Missouri nor the Missouri Bar reviews or approves certifying organizations or specialist designations.
Missouri Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4 (1997).
Nevada
Neither the state bar of Nevada nor any agency of the State Bar has certified any lawyer identified here as a specialist or as an expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability.
Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 198 (1997).
New Jersey
Any certification as a specialist, or any certification in a field of practice, that does not state that such certification has been granted by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or by an organization that has been approved by the American Bar Association, indicates that the certifying organization has not been approved, or has been denied approval, by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and the American Bar Association.
See New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4(b) (1997).
New Mexico
Any certification by an organization other than the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization does not constitute recognition by the New Mexico Board of Legal Specialization, unless the lawyer is also recognized by the board as a specialist in that area of law.
See New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 16-704(D) (1997).
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers in the general practice of law. The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any field of practice.
Rhode Island Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.4 (1998).
Tennessee
Unless otherwise indicated, Tennessee attorneys are not certified as specialists by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization in the areas of practice listed on their profiles.
See Tennessee Code of Professional Responsibility DR 2-101(C)(3) (1998).
Texas
Unless otherwise indicated, Texas attorneys are Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the areas of practice listed on their profiles.
See Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 7.04(b)(3) (1999).
Washington
The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialties in the practice of law. Any certificate, award, or recognition by a group, organization or association used by a Washington attorney to describe his or her qualifications as a lawyer or qualifications in any subspecialty of law is not a requirement to practice law in the State of Washington.
See Washington Rules of Professional Responsibility Rule 7.4(b) (1997).
Wyoming
The Wyoming State Bar does not certify any lawyer as a specialist or expert. Anyone considering a lawyer should independently investigate the lawyer’s credentials and ability, and not rely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise.
Wyoming Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys at Law Rule 7.4 (1997)
